Inaugural Address for The 34th Presidency of
The Society of Polymer Science, Japan

The Society of Polymer Science that is looking at Future

Takashi KATO, President

The Society of Polymer Science, Japan (SPSJ) is an
organization where the researchers and engineers
working in polymer and its related fields gather,
exchange and offer information, develop human
resources, and contribute to the development of
science and technology, thus to the society. SPSJ was
founded in 1951 and it has long history. Based on its
tradition and present states, I would like to make SPSJ
more attractive and international, more contributable
for society, and thus more futuristic. Moreover, the
SPSJ should be a forum to make network of members,
specialists of various fields as well as citizens all over
the world, resulting into a place of discussion of future
dreams. We will let elementary, junior and senior high
school students and non-specialists know that how
polymer and its related materials are used in daily life
and societies.

Events, publication, and homepage will be more
attractive !

The SPSJ annual meeting and the SPSJ symposium
on macromolecules, polymer materials forum will be
more attractive for participants by considering when
is the best timing and what contents are important.
International exchanges and the collaboration with
other societies will be promoted. Various symposiums
of SPSJ will give timely contents to members.

My first presentation at academic societies was in an
annual polymer meeting of SPSJ. SPSJ has helped me
to grow as a researcher and has given me opportunities
to know a lot of people. SPSJ should be forum of face-to-
face real meeting of researchers and citizens.

SPSJ has important periodical journal and
magazine. I will review the situation of the periodicals
and make a new stage of periodicals. Polymer Journal
will be brought to be a very important journal in the
field of polymer science. I will make the KOBUNSHI
act as a bridge between SPSJ and its members. We
will make Webinar more attractive and informative.
Basic understanding of polymer is a key in application
and realization of polymer materials. Basic education
of polymer science will be enhanced as publications
and Webinar contents. The SPSJ homepage will be
renewed to make it more accessible for members
and to offer more information on polymers. Polymer
private school (Kobunshi Miraijuku), which has been
successful in the HP will be more developed.

Cooperation, exchange, and fusion will be more
promoted

Industry-university cooperation: One of specific
features of SPSJ is that half of members of SPSJ
joined from industries. This feature will be used
for industry-university cooperation. I will activate
cooperation between polymer industry and university.
Cooperation and exchanges with polymer association
of executives will be very active. Excellent studies at
universities are introduced more to industries. I would
like to establish a system that introduce excellent
researches of academia to industries.

Fusion of different fields: Polymer science has
grown as a systematic academic subject. To make
new stream of polymer science for its further growth,
we will cooperate with related materials fields that
were not included in traditional polymer science. I
hope such cooperation will lead to the development of
polymer and related materials in the field of device,
energy, environment, and medical science.

International exchange: International exchanges on
polymer science between researchers and engineers
all over the world is important for the development of
science and technology and to resolve common world
issues. International exchanges with foreign researchers,
various societies, and organizations will be promoted.
International symposiums are organized actively. Sending
and accepting of international delegates are welcomed.

Human resource development, outreach, contri-
bution to society are performed for the future

Towards new SPSJ created by collaboration off
industry-academia-government, and young and senior,
human resources will be developed. In international
standpoint view, we will promote cooperation with
young researchers in Asia, Europe, and America.

Face-to-face discussions with branches, polymer
association of executives, research groups, and young
researcher groups will be performed. I will also tackle
with issues of number of members and financing of
SPSJ. I will continue committing these issues with
cooperation of members and office staffs. I really hope
your support and cooperation.

Takashi KATO, The 34th President of The Society of Polymer Science, Japan